Published: 20:07 BST, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 20:07 BST, 3 September 2026
Will Levis has been handed an NFL lifeline by the New York Jets – but he has another quarterback standing between him and a contract.
Levis, 27, was released by the Tennessee Titans last week, ending a turbulent spell in Nashville after he slid out of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft and was picked 33rd overall.
The former Kentucky quarterback became Titans starter halfway through his rookie season, then became starter in 2024, but missed the entire 2025 season after shoulder surgery as the franchise moved on by drafting Cam Ward No.1 overall.
He has faced mockery online for some of his on-field play and lack of ball security, as well as facing turbulence in his personal life after splitting from ex-girlfriend Gia Duddy in his rookie year, after the pair had an intimate tape leaked by hackers earlier in their relationship.
Levis entered this year's training camp battling with Mitch Trubisky for the backup job but did not make the 53-man roster and has since cleared waivers without being picked up.
However, The Athletic reports he was brought to the New York Jets facility on Thursday for a workout with a view to being signed to their practice squad.
Will Levis worked out for the New York Jets for a spot on their practice squad
Levis has had a rocky road in the NFL and was released by the Tennessee Titans last month
Levis and UFL MVP Jack Plummer both worked out for the Jets, competing for the same spot after the team settled on Cade Klubnik as backup quarterback behind Geno Smith.
Plummer went undrafted out of Louisville in 2024 and spent a year on the Carolina Panthers practice squad before impressing in the UFL for the Orlando Storm this year to alert NFL teams.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn shed light on their quarterback situation earlier this week. Klubnik, a fourth-round draft pick from Clemson this offseason, beat out Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook for the backup job.
'He's our backup quarterback. He's our backup quarterback, and he'll do a good job,' Glenn stated.
'There's just a confidence in how he operates and what he's done in practice, what he's done in the games. I don't think anybody ever said there weren't going to be hiccups. I mean, he's a rookie, but he's always learning, but he's a very intelligent guy.
'Listen, we're proud that we have him and he's improved over the course of training camp and he's going to continue to improve.
